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Are you a devoted watch aficionado or an avid collector? If so, you might be familiar with the marvelous world of watch winders. But have you ever wondered what lies within these essential devices? At the heart of these fascinating devices lies a critical element – the watch winder motor.  In this captivating blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into the various types of watch winder motors on how to replace them.

 

The Importance of Watch Winder Motors

When it comes to cars, the engine is the heart of the cars. And in the world of watch winders, it’s much the same – the motor is the core component that makes it all work. If you’ve invested in the beauty of an automatic timepiece, it’s clear you appreciate quality craftsmanship and precision details. And because you want to keep your watch wound even when it’s not on your wrist, you’ve looked at buying a watch winder.

 

There are tons of options out there when it comes to these handy watch storage and winding devices. While exterior choices like wood, metal, or leather are appealing, it’s really what’s inside that counts. Before committing your timepiece to any old watch winder, the motor is something you need to think about. Paired with the gearbox, it’s the mechanism that smoothly spins your watch to keep it ticking.

 

The motor you go with will determine how dependable, quiet, and high-performance your winder experience will be long-term. And that’s important since these things aren’t cheap. Watch winder brands utilize different motor technologies. It pays to understand the motors because quality, durability, and volume levels can vary widely between options.

 

Besides the motor, what other components are important for the performance of a watchwinder?

 

Besides the motor, the gearbox is also a crucial component that significantly affects the performance of a watch winder.

 

The gearbox’s role is to convert and transmit the motor’s speed and torque appropriately, ensuring that the rotational force matches the requirements of the automatic watch’s winding mechanism. It controls the output speed effectively to avoid winding too fast or too slow, protecting the watch movement.

 

The quality of gear meshing directly impacts the smoothness and durability of power transmission. High-quality gears reduce energy loss and mechanical noise, enhancing the overall quietness and lifespan of the watch winder.

 

The gearbox design must precisely match the motor output with the winding needs of the watch to prevent issues such as gear wear, poor engagement, vibration, or malfunction.

 

Types of Motors Used in Watch Winders

Mabuchi Motors: The renowned Japanese manufacturer produces Mabuchi motors, which find wide usage in various applications, including watch winders. These motors have gained recognition for their reliability, efficiency, and affordability. Mid-range watch winder models commonly incorporate them, delivering consistent rotational movement.

 

Japanese Motors: Watch winder brands commonly use Japanese motors in their products due to their excellent price-to-quality ratio. Watch winder manufacturers appreciate the reliability and durability of these motors, contributing to their popularity.

 

German Motors: German motors are known for their slightly lower noise levels compared to Japanese motors. They provide a more pleasant user experience but are often more expensive, resulting in higher-priced watch winders.

 

Swiss Motors: Similar to German motors, Swiss motors offer a slightly lower noise level and are considered a luxury option. They are known for their quality and precision, but their higher cost is reflected in the price of watch winders that use them.

 

How do Japanese-made watch winder motors compare to those made in China?

Japanese-Made Watchwinder Motor

• Brand Reputation: Japanese motor, especially those from Mabuchi, are widely respected for their quality and reliability.
• Durability: Japanese motor are known for long-term reliability and low failure rates, making them a preferred choice for mid-range and high-end watchwinders.
• Noise Level: Japanese Motor typically operate quietly, suitable for use in bedrooms or quiet environments.
• Performance: Japanese Motor offer precise and consistent winding, with customizable settings for turns per day (TPD) and rotation direction in many models.
• Price: Japanese Motors are more expensive than Chinese motors, but they offer a superior price-to-quality ratio compared to Swiss or German alternatives.
• Usage: Commonly found in respected brands and recommended for serious collectors or those seeking dependable, long-lasting performance.

 

Chinese-Made Watchwinder Motor

• Brand Reputation: Chinese Motor is often unbranded and used in budget or entry-level watchwinders.
• Durability: Chinese Motors tend to have higher failure rates, with issues such as increased noise over time, vibration, and eventual motor stoppage being common complaints.
• Noise Level: Chinese Motor is typically noisier, which can be disruptive if placed in quiet environments.
• Performance: Chinese Motor Performance and reliability can vary widely; some may work well initially, but degrade quickly.
• Price: Chinese Motor is much more affordable, making them attractive for those on a tight budget or for occasional use.
• Usage: Chinese Motor is mostly found in low-cost watchwinders sold on mass-market platforms like Amazon and Aliexpress. Not used by serious or reputable watchwinder brands.

 

What is the Best Watch Winder Motor?

It’s the Japanese Mabuchi motor watch winder!

Mabuchi is a renowned Japanese company that has been around since 1946. They specialize in making small electric motors, including those for watch winders. They are considered one of the top manufacturers of miniature motors. As a world market leader in miniature motors and boasting a 70% market share in automotive electric motors, Mabuchi has earned a reputation for producing superior-quality Mabuchi motors.

 

If you’re looking for a reliable watch winder motor, you can’t go wrong with Mabuchi. Many professional brands, like Wolf, Peacock, and Vorne, choose to use these motors in their watch winders due to their durability and precision.

 

Mabuchi motor watch winder uses precision engineering and production techniques to build small but powerful DC motors. They’re engineered to ensure the smooth and reliable winding of your automatic watches. Plus, they rotate at just the right speed (between 360-720 RPM) to prevent any damage.

 

One of the best things about the Mabuchi motor for watch winder is how quiet they are – usually below 10 dB. This means your watch won’t be subjected to unnecessary noise or vibrations.These motors are built to last as well. Most Mabuchi motors can easily power your watch winder for over 10,000 hours of continuous use.

 

Top watch winder manufacturers trust Mabuchi’s motors time after time to provide gentle and dependable care for automatic watches. A perfect example of this trust is Mozsly, a manufacturer with 12 years of experience using Mabuchi motors in their products. So you can have peace of mind knowing your automatic watches are well taken care of without winding mechanism issues!

 

How to Replace the Mabuchi Motor for the Watch Winder?

1. Turn off the watch winder and unplug the power cord to ensure safety.
2. Remove the cover of the watch winder to access the motor.
3. Disconnect the wires that connect the motor to the watch winder.
4. Remove the screws that hold the motor in place.
5. Take out the old motor and replace it with a new one.
6. Secure the new motor in place with screws.
7. Reconnect the wires to the new motor.
8. Replace the cover of the watch winder.
9. Plug in the power cord and turn on the watch winder to test the new motor.

When replacing a watch winder motor, it is important to note that the specific steps may vary depending on the brand and model of the watch winder. If you’re unsure about the process, it is recommended to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions or seek professional assistance.

 

Where to Buy a Replacement Mabuchi Motor Watch Winder?

For motors, we recommend that you contact the original supplier or manufacturer of the watch winder. Most allow you to order just the motor. This ensures that it is the correct motor for your winder.

 

Mabuchi motors for watch winders are very popular. Most mid-level watch winders come with these. You can buy watch winder motors on Amazon or Mozsly.

 

For replacement drive belts for watch winders, you can find some on Amazon. However, you should measure the broken drive belt (diameter) and make sure you order the correct size rubber drive belt. Note that these are sometimes called o-rings, so be sure to search for both.

 

Common Watch Winder Motor Issues

 

 

What Tools Do You Need to Replace a Watch Winder?

As you meticulously begin the process of disassembling your watch winder, you’ll likely need to invest in a compact set of flathead and Phillips screwdrivers. With precision, these tools will assist in removing the side and back panels of your winder. Fortunately, these screwdriver sets are available at reasonable prices. For even greater accuracy, consider specializing in a watchmaker’s screwdriver, expertly designed to handle the minuscule screws nestled within the winder’s casing.

 

Or you can buy a watch winder motor kit from MOZSLY!

MOZSLY Package Included:

• 1*Japan Silent Motor
• 1*Screw Pack
• 3*Different size screwdrivers
• 1*Motor Installation Instructions

 

WHAT IF I CAN’T DO IT MYSELF

If you don’t have the confidence to replace it yourself, or can’t find the right replacement part, there are other options.

You can look for a local service organization that can replace your watch winder for you. Or you can send the winder to a professional watch winder repair service.

Or maybe it’s time to upgrade to a better quality and more durable winder. In this case, you can search for the right watch winder for your needs at Mozsly.com.